The Wish List: Gift Giving with Viscountess Weymouth & Mark Vandelli

Launch Slideshow

Viscountess Emma Weymouth and her close friend Mark Francis Vandelli know a thing or two about personal style. As well as running the family estate of Longleat in Wiltshire and writing her food and lifestyle blog Emma's Kitchen, Lady Weymouth has recently modelled for Dolce and Gabbana, and graced the pages of W magazine and Tatler. After a successful television career, Vandelli has also ventured in to the world of high fashion with the launch of his debut eponymous collection of tailoring. Both passionate collectors of jewellery and fine art, they spent an afternoon looking through items from the The Wish List sale, selecting gifts for each other and offering styling tips on how to best wear your statement jewellery for the festive party season.

The Wish List: Jewellery & Watches Online 28 November—11 December

The Wish List: Gift Giving with Viscountess Weymouth & Mark Vandelli

Photo: Chris Floyd

Amethyst and Diamond Demi-Parure. Estimate: £1,000—1,500.

"This purple cocktail ring is magnificent, I love the colour. To wear this out, you could simplify your hair, your makeup and everything else, and it would instantly give you that level of glamour and occasion. I would want to wear this to a big event. It's ultimately about having fun with your accessories at this time of year. It has a beautiful setting, with quite a large stone. I always make sure to look at the underneath of rings as it's important to get a sense of how the light falls through the jewel, as this is what really brings a piece alive." – Emma.

"I love this watch; the flip face is so clever, so you can wear it with any outfit. It's a really elegant piece, which is why I chose it for Mark. I thought this was quite fun, whilst being a classic." – Emma.

"Both of these watches Mark chose for me are great for the party season, as they incorporate diamonds in the design. Not only are they practical, but the diamond detailing makes them super-glamourous at the same time." – Emma.

Also shown: A Pair of Emerald and Diamond Pendant Earrings. Estimate: £2,000—3,000.

"I love the sparkle of this piece. It sits perfectly flat on the wrist so feels more like a delicate bracelet. You could wear this for either a black-tie event or a slightly more informal Christmas drinks party with friends in the run-up to the holiday season." – Emma.

"This stunning Tiffany diamond bracelet is absolutely timeless, and you could even wear it with just a black dress. It would elevate any outfit without being too ostentatious. In fact, I'd be inclined to wear this as an everyday piece too, with a more casual outfit. I'm very drawn to classic Art Deco styling." – Emma.

"Mark is an expert on all things watch and jewellery-related, but he is also drawn to unique, unusual pieces that would complement his clothing or his desk. This pencil holder would be a perfect addition to his collection — objects that show off fine craftsmanship." – Emma.

"One unfortunately receives fewer letters than one would like, certainly less thank you letters than one would like; but I think if one is going to open a letter that's worth opening, it needs to be opened with a gold and diamond letter opener. This one by Patek Philippe is a wonderful example." – Mark.

"What I love about this ruby butterfly brooch is the fact that the pavé rubies are so appropriate for this time of year. Everyone loves a little touch of ruby at Christmas. I love the scale of it; I love that the gold has been blackened on the central section, which makes it feel very modern. It’s also a very easy and playful piece to wear, which would look good on a black velvet dress or an overcoat, but equally as chic on turban or headpiece." – Mark.

"I love this emerald ring, it's versatile and would look beautiful on a pinkie. I think it catches the light beautifully. I love cabochon stones, for me, this reminds me of a sweetie. It's wonderfully playful!" – Mark.

"I think these diamond and sapphire drop earrings are very pretty. There is something very timeless about them; they're an extremely elegant shape — referencing the delicacy and sophistication of Art Deco, so they would be the perfect gift for Emma." – Mark.

"I don't believe that jewellery always needs to match. I think we live in an époque in which we can mix and match almost anything. But I was brought up by a mother who is very classic in her jewellery pairing; I think that these earrings look beautiful on Emma with this pinkie ring, which is also a great day-time look." – Mark.

"Ultimately, the best way to make a statement with your jewellery is to keep your look understated and simple. That doesn't mean you shouldn't wear large jewels — on the contrary, in fact — but you should consider the whole look; the dress, the suit, the coat... it is composing a picture." – Mark.

A number of recipes and tips for styling your home for the holiday season can be found on Viscountess Weymouth's website Emma's Kitchen
. She will host the Festival of Light
this December at Longleat
.

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